A coalition of women’s rights organizations under the banner of The Women of Kenya has strongly defended the Judiciary, condemning what they describe as a deliberate and ill-intentioned campaign to discredit the institution and its leadership, particularly Chief Justice Martha Koome. In a press statement signed by organizations including the Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW), Crawn Trust, Center for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), and Rising Widows, among others which was issued in Nairobi on Friday, the women’s rights groups expressed their unwavering support for the Judiciary as a fundamental pillar of Kenya’s democracy.
The statement highlights growing concerns over an unprecedented attack on the Judiciary, which comes at a time when the country is experiencing rising lawlessness, including forced disappearances, abductions, and femicide. The coalition views these attacks as a direct threat to the rule of law and the safety of Kenyan citizens. They emphasized that the Judiciary plays a crucial role in safeguarding the Constitution, protecting citizens’ rights, and ensuring justice. According to the statement, the ongoing vilification of Chief Justice Martha Koome and other Supreme Court judges is a deliberate attempt to undermine public confidence in the institution, paving the way for instability and lawlessness.
Despite allegations that the Judiciary under Chief Justice Koome is inefficient and ineffective, the coalition commended her leadership for spearheading significant reforms that have enhanced access to justice across the country. They pointed out key milestones achieved during her tenure, including the establishment of Gender Justice Courts to address gender-based violence cases, the expansion of Small Claims Courts to expedite dispute resolution, and the introduction of a Multi-Door Approach to Justice that promotes alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Other notable achievements include the nationwide rollout of e-filing, the expansion of court infrastructure, and the Mahakama Popote Initiative, which has brought justice closer to communities in remote areas. Additionally, they lauded her efforts in securing a permanent home for the Kenya Judiciary Academy, operationalizing the Judiciary Fund to ensure financial independence, overseeing a systemic audit of the Judiciary by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and reducing the backlog of cases by 27%, ultimately improving judicial efficiency.
The coalition decried the pattern of undermining and vilifying women in leadership, citing the sustained attacks on Chief Justice Koome as yet another example of gender-based discrimination in governance. They expressed concern over the use of derogatory language and baseless accusations aimed at discrediting her leadership, arguing that these attacks are not only an affront to the Chief Justice but also to all women who hold positions of influence in Kenya. They emphasized that no other woman has risen to lead one of the three arms of government in Kenya’s history, and as such, attempts to bring her down reflect a broader trend of resisting women’s leadership.
In response to these attacks, the coalition issued several urgent appeals. They called for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Koome and other Supreme Court judges, arguing that such petitions are meant to destabilize the Judiciary. They urged female leaders across the political spectrum—including governors, senators, members of parliament, and members of county assemblies—to speak out against what they described as a well-orchestrated effort to silence women in leadership. The coalition also called on women’s rights defenders at both regional and national levels to resist attempts to discredit female leaders and urged religious leaders, professional groups, the media, civil society, and the private sector to defend the independence of the Judiciary while continuing to demand accountability.
Quoting the famous words of Martin Niemöller, the coalition warned that silence in the face of these attacks could lead to the erosion of democratic institutions and the loss of fundamental freedoms. They reminded Kenyans that today, the attack is on the Judiciary and Chief Justice Martha Koome, but tomorrow, it could be any other institution or individual. The statement concluded with a strong caution that any attempts to destabilize the Judiciary would have severe consequences for the country’s democracy and governance.